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Brad Punu

Brad Punu is Manager of Strategic Initiatives at the Energy Excelerator in Hawaii. The Energy Excelerator is a non-profit incubator for entrepreneurial renewable energy companies looking to change the world, starting in Hawaii. Brad is also involved with Urban Capital of America, Inc.—a mezzanine debt fund looking to provide growth capital to small businesses and support the local community by creating jobs. Prior to this, Brad was running the Fixed Income Derivatives desk at Rabobank in Hong Kong as a Managing Director for 1.5 years. From 2000 to 2011, Brad was with JP Morgan Chase in both Hong Kong and Tokyo, lastly as a Managing Director running Fixed Income Hybrids and Exotics across Asia. He was promoted to head of the region at 26 years old and made Managing Director at 32, one of the youngest Managing Directors in the firm. He also sat on regional committees for philanthropy, women's advancement, recruiting and management training. In 2003 Brad attended Duke University while working and graduated with his MBA, along with Fuqua Scholar distinction. Brad started his career in 1997 at Credit Suisse First Boston in Tokyo as a junior trader managing a full range of foreign exchange risk.

After graduating from Iolani School in 1993, he attended Princeton University where he majored in Chemical Engineering with a Certificate in Environmental Studies. Despite a career as a banker, Brad's passion has always been the environment. During college summers he wrote Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements with Belt Collins in Hawaii. Brad's wanderlust took him to Tokyo after graduation where he fell in love with both the country and the financial markets. He fed his passion for the environment through other avenues. In 2008, Brad led the "Go Green" team in JP Morgan Chase, a group of volunteers who promoted change from within. Brad also led the Environment Committee of the American Chamber in Commerce in Hong Kong which produced advocacy papers and successfully lobbied to get clean diesel fuel into ocean going vessels, funds appropriated to the retirement of old commercial diesel vehicles, a plastic bag levy and an idling car ban.

Brad is married to the wonderful Kirstin Punu and they have two young sons, Brendan and Brady. He is delighted to have the opportunity to watch his sons grow up in Hawaii like he did. Despite his lack of skill, Brad is an avid golfer and lover of wine. He also holds the designation of Certified International Wealth Manager with the Association of International Wealth Managers.

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